In which Valindra observes Vevier deliver a baking lesson and breaks off more than she can chew. -->

Vevier taps her finger against her chin, considering, then looks down at the freshly scabbed knife cut.

Vevier says 'Cooking with whole blueberries is best, dearie.'

Vevier says 'It helps keep the juices in.'

Valindra leans in a little as she listens.

Vargan says 'Berries will get my mount painted blue so one can detect me more easy..'

Vargan says 'Pardon..'

Vargan says 'Mouth.'

Vevier says 'I've seen it get more than a few mounts, too.'

Valindra nudges Vargan with her elbow, but she's smiling.

Vargan snickers softly.

Vevier says quietly 'I have a secret for you, dearies.'

Vargan says 'A kiss on the cheek my those blue lips I don't mind..'

Vevier whispers '*******************.'

Vevier nods.

You say to Vevier 'O Mama, what a treat! I love secrets.'

Vargan grabs Valindra by her arm.

Vargan blushes.

Vargan kisses you.

Valindra produces a pen and paper from somewhere, and she makes a note rather painstakingly.

Vargan says 'What did I I just do..'

You say to Vargan 'Unhand me, dear. I'm the concubine of a lesser god! He may kill you.'

Vargan slaps himself, really strange ...

Vevier turns a warm, conspiratorial gaze to you.

You say 'I know I'm irresistible!'

Vevier says to you 'You must be privy to all kinds of secrets, dearie.'

Valindra nods, her chins wobbling.

Vargan sulks in the corner.

You say 'The wind is always whispering, and so am I, Mama.'

Valindra lowers her head briefly.

Vevier smiles at you.

Vargan hugs you.

Vevier says to Vargan 'Don't worry, dearie. You will find your secret tellers in time.'

Vargan bows deeply.

Vargan says 'Farewell '

You say to Vargan 'Safe travels to the Patron, dear.'

Vargan says 'I need some sleep..'

Vargan says 'I don't mind sleeping in a tent with a she..'

Vevier lets out a hearty laugh.

Vargan says 'I must go for no before Valindra gets mad..'

Vargan bows deeply.

Vargan says 'Now.'

Vevier smiles at Vargan.

Vargan waves happily.

Vargan stops following you.
Vargan has left the realms.

Vevier now follows you.

You say 'What a proper cad. He'd almost tempt me.'

Valindra winks her tiny, button-sized eye.

Vevier says 'He keeps leaving these blueberries here...'

Vevier says 'I can tell he is earnest, but he shows it in odd ways, dearie.'

You say 'Don't we all.'

Valindra's eyes dart to Hibbadibbity.

Vevier follows your gaze to the wisp, where hers lingers.

A tiny wisp named Hibbadibbity has camouflaged herself so well that she only betrays herself by twitching slightly.

You say 'Has she always been able to do that?'

Vevier utters darkly 'No, she hasn't.'

Valindra's eyes narrow.

You say 'I have written the curse.'

You say 'And gathered the materials.'

Vevier growls 'Then all that is left is the invokation.'

Valindra nods, her chins wobbling.

You remove a wicked witch's black hat from your head.

Vevier growls 'Fire burns hottest in the Underworld.'

You say 'I wonder what will happen.'

Vevier chuckles lowly.

You eat a "Mama Vev's specialty" meatless muffin.
You are no longer hungry.

You are carrying:
a split mystical blueberry
(Glowing) puppy fur stompers
a jingly wheel of cheese
(Invis) (Glowing) (Humming) a marmalade orb
a wicked witch's black hat
a lair key
(Glowing) a small hot ball of fire
a grimy handkerchief
a fragile crystal ball
(Invis) a wide brimmed hat
( 2) (Humming) a trinket of Lady Luck
a satchel embroidered with the crest of Heralds (open)

You wear a wicked witch's black hat on your head.

Vevier scoffs 'Without water to hold back the flame, it will grow and spread.'

Vevier grins too widely 'It will consume all that lies in its path.'

Valindra taps her lip with a stubby emerald finger, but she's suppressing a shiver.

[ 18]: <HERALD> Valindra: Witch's Curse
Wed Nov 10 05:32:06 2021
To: Vevier
Witch's Curse

What men can bind I can undo
And spill some tea before I'm through.
Dear sister, now I call on you:

An iron belt to slow you down--
I stole it from Xymeria--
Wound on your brow: a cursed crown.
Side effects may include diphtheria.

Next a gift from our first meeting--
Natty lace, a handkerchief.
(Now hear me, Mama! I'm entreating
As I conjure dark mischief.)

Find a key to unlock flame.
Burn up the night, my little star.
Will you ever be the same
After the curse of Illistarre?

You say 'What . . .'

Valindra swallows a little, her chins wobbling.

You say 'A treat! Thank you, Mama.'

Vevier grins evilly at you. Hmmm. Better keep your distance.

Vevier croons 'It will be glorious.'

You say 'I'd counted on a little water.'

Valindra shakes her head quickly as if shaking something off. She smiles again.

Vevier scoffs 'Water would not have been enough. Not if you had a dozen Paradigms.'

You say 'I only ever had one.'

Vevier grins cruelly 'Now you don't even have that.'

Vevier laughs too loudly and slaps a hand against her knee.

Muffins 4 U
| This is the muffin shop of Timaran, a cheery place filled
| with lovely smells of baked goods and sweet, yummy things.
| The walls are covered in assorted mixtures of flour, pastry
| dough and icing that's long since hardened to the point
@ | of no removal. There's a small wooden display case which
| | holds a variety of wonderfully scrumptious muffins and
S-+-S | pastries, each of which could easily win a baking contest
| | on its sheer deliciosity and beauty. Go on, indulge yourself
S-+-S | a bit - have a bite or two, who cares if it goes straight
---------+ to your hips and thighs?

[Exits: south]
(Glowing) A glowing icicle dagger lies here amid a patch of frost.
There is a small kitchen in the corner of this room, where the muffins are baked.
You sense something divine in the shadows.
(Charmed) A tiny wisp hovers here, shedding its essence as it bobs in the air.
A tall, handsome half-elf stands here ready to serve you.

A magical spring flows from the ground.
A large, filthy rat walks in.

You drink water from a magical spring.
Your thirst is quenched.

You say 'I can do that.'

Valindra gestures with her hand.

Valindra's typical emerald is sort of a wan chartreuse now.

Vevier laughs even harder, dropping down to the floor as she holds her stomach.

Vevier sits down on the ground.

Vevier cackles 'Ahahaha hahahahaa.'

>>>> *KABOOM* <<<< Sounds like the alchemist buggered something up again.

Valindra jumps.

The city clock tolls twelve times, indicating midnight has arrived.

Vevier laughs one last chuckle 'That won't be enough.'

You say 'It's getting late!'

You say 'I have much to think about.'

You say 'Good to see you, Mama!'

Valindra lowers her head once more.

Valindra backs out slowly.

<HERALD> Odile the Crier gossips: 'Farewell Valindra, may the winds guide you to a swift return.'